Ok, a friend has just asked me to look at his mower, the sump is full of petrol, on turn over the fuel pours out the exhaust and the maching sounds like its "crunching" at the crank. The machine has been lying unused for 5 years and the origonal petrol is now varnish and has gummed everything up. Yesterday he put fresh petrol in the tank and tried to start it, nothig happened, of course:-). My problem is this, what damage has been done to the crank, bore, seal etc and, is it worth while trying to repair the machine as a new one is only £159 at B&Q

John T Smith, May 2008

I suspect all that has happened is that the carb float has stuck down and the engine has completely flooded with fuel (no other way fuel could get into the sump). This may well fill up the cylinder causing hydraulic lock (making the engine difficult or impossible to rotate). Strip & clean the carb, CHANGE THE OIL!!!! and retry.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, May 2008

Hi John, by the time you've stripped the engine down to assess the damage you might as well accept defeat and get the new one at least it will come with 12months warranty and you can always keep the old one have a look at the engine at your leisure and then sell it on if the repairs aren't to expensive!

nigel, May 2008